A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Olive Oil Added to Human Breast Milk for Weight Gaining in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Objective: evaluating the effect of vegetable oil, as a supplement to breast milk in increase the weight gaining of vlbw neonates. materials and methods: in this single blind; randomized clinical trials , in nicu of vali-asr hospital, tehran university of medical sciences, 2005–2006;a total of 48 vlbw neonates referred & admitted to nicu, who did not have any major gi (especially nec), respiratory or cardiac diseases; participated randomly in two groups: intervention & control.vegetable oil was added to the milk of 25 neonates (0.5 cc per 30cc of milk) and the other 25neonates with similar conditions that were selected as a control group, did not get any type of supplementary nutrition. daily feeding volume in both groups was 150-200 cc for each kilogram of body weight. results: weight gaining in interventional groups was considerably more than control group. (p<0.04).there were also significant statistical differences in hospitalization period between the two groups, 28.9 days in interventional and 20.33 days in control group, (p<0.03).however, no significant side effects were observed. conclusions: there is no report regarding contraindication linking the use of vegetable oil intended for appropriate weight gaining or reducing hospitalization period to neonatal chronic diseases.